Grants

The Abell Foundation awards grants to nonprofit community partners working to improve the quality of life in Baltimore. We provide seed funding for innovative pilots, support for ongoing community programs and services, and funding for capital projects. In addition to providing grant funding, the Foundation supports our nonprofit partners through connection to our local and national networks, as well as our team’s deep experience in and knowledge of Baltimore as it relates to our program areas.

Learn More About Our Process

Submit an Application

Considering Applying for a Small Grant?

If you have never received an Abell small grant (requests of $10,000 or less), you must attend an information session to confirm fit with eligibility criteria and funding priorities prior to submitting a small grant application. 

Considering Applying for a Regular Grant?

First-time applicants with grant requests greater than $10,000 should submit a short letter of inquiry prior to submitting a regular grant application. For guidance on what to include in your LOI, please reference our frequently asked questions.

Ready to Apply?

If you are a returning applicant or have met our eligibility criteria and requirements and are ready to apply for a grant, you may do so on the apply page.

Returning to a Saved Application or Submitting a Report?

Log into the grant portal below to return to your saved application or submit a report for a previously awarded grant.

See Our Past Grants

Reading Partners

$40,000 / 2020 / Education

Since 2012, Reading Partners has provided high quality literacy tutoring by recruiting, training and supervising comunity volunteers to serve children in Baltimore City elementatary schools. With the support of 650 volunteers and 29 Americorps members, Reading Partners will serve up to 600 K-4th grade studentsin 16 Title I schools  in the 2020/21 school year. While that instruction may be virutal, in person, or a hybrid, Reading Partners expects that 81% of tutored students will meet their primary individualized end of year literacy growth goals.

ShareBaby, Inc.

$30,000 / 2020 / Health and Human Services

Part of a national network of “diaper banks,” ShareBaby provides diapers and other critical baby supplies to low income parents in Baltimore.  ShareBaby partners with a wide range of other organizations, including Judy Centers, family support centers, home visiting programs, and programs serving the homeless and victims of domestic violence, to distribute these essential items to families for whom the cost of diapers can be an insurmountable expense.  This grant provides operating support for ShareBaby.    

Shepherd’s Clinic

$50,000 / 2020 / Health and Human Services

Shepherd’s Clinic provides free medical, behavioral health, and wellness care to 800-900 clients annually, largely through volunteer clinicians and staff.  Every year, volunteers contribute approximately 10,500 hours of service.  Shepherd’s Clinic’s clients are adults who do not qualify for Medical Assistance and yet cannot afford private insurance (most of Shepherd’s Clinic’s clients live at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Line). This grant supported Shepherd’s Clinic’s general operating costs.  

The Ingenuity Project

$370,000 / 2020 / Education

The Abell Foundation launched The Ingenuity Project for advanced math and science in 1994. Today, Ingenuity prepares and launches the next diverse generation of nationally competitive STEM leaders in Baltimore City Schools, serving 830 students in grades 6-12. This grant will enable Ingenuity to expand and improve access to students of color and students living in concentrated poverty by establishing a community-driven vision and systems to produce equitable outcomes for all students, supporting its new middle school program at James McHenry School in West Baltimore, and refining individualized support and STEM enrichment, including the high school practicum experience for all participants. Ingenuity will continue to serve as the exemplary accelerated math and science program that prepares Baltimore City students for selective colleges and STEM careers, demonstrating both excellence and equity.

TurnAround, Inc.

$75,000 / 2020 / Health and Human Services

TurnAround provides comprehensive, trauma-informed services to survivors of domestic and dating violence, sexual abuse and assault, harassment, and human trafficking in Baltimore City and County.  This grant supports TurnAround’s anti-trafficking program, which provides emergency and supportive services to survivors of sex trafficking.  The program offers safety planning, emergency shelter, intensive advocacy, case management, group and individual counseling, and connection to basic human needs like food and clothing.  

Header photo courtesy of Thread.